Linda G.
I am now player on the "Other" team! Hooray!!!!
Aug 30, 2012
Well considering that my consult with Dr Nugyen took place on March 5th and I was just looking back on my calendar to figure out how long the process actually took, I am sooooo sooooo happy. Happy, (I am elated) because if I had not got rid of my "old" surgeon and started with West Coast Barriatrics, I would still be waiting for a very very long time to ever get my surgery. When looking back on my calendar, I note that my initial consult took place on March 5, 2012, and with many appointments, a few tests and a lot of hard work, it took a total of only 167 days to get to my surgery. There were dietician appointments, counseling appointments, weekly phone appts. with my PAL Jon from the Physical Activity line, appts. with a respirologist, and others that I can not think of at the moment. But it was sooooo all worth it, my new life is barely even started yet.
I got to have my RNY surgery on Monday, August 20th, so I am just over a week out because today is Wednesday the 29th of August. All in all I am doing pretty good, there is a bit of "pulling" or discomfort on my left side where the drain is, but it is not something that stops me from going about my day.
I guess I could say that I was probably one of the lucky ones, very minimal nausea after surgery that was treated within an hour or so, and then after that I only needed to take the pain meds while I was in the hospital.... I got to spend my entire 2 day visit in the ICU where my care was phenominal.
When I was released on the Wednesday (the 2nd day after the surgery) I did not need any type of pain meds after that!
So I guess you could say that although this is major surgery, it was not all that hard and I would not think twice about having it again if I had to.
Dr. N told me yesterday at my check up appt. that my surgery ended up taking 45 minutes longer than the usual time it takes, due to the fact that when they went to reattach the bowel the stapler was not holding properly and he had to completely hand sew the new join together. So my RNY is hand done, and shoule have 0% of any kind of leakage issues.
So thank you Dr.N, for doing such an amazing job.
Now all I need to do, is to get on with healing, and just doing my best to give my new pouch the best possible chance of doing what it is meant to do!
0 comments
I got to have my RNY surgery on Monday, August 20th, so I am just over a week out because today is Wednesday the 29th of August. All in all I am doing pretty good, there is a bit of "pulling" or discomfort on my left side where the drain is, but it is not something that stops me from going about my day.
I guess I could say that I was probably one of the lucky ones, very minimal nausea after surgery that was treated within an hour or so, and then after that I only needed to take the pain meds while I was in the hospital.... I got to spend my entire 2 day visit in the ICU where my care was phenominal.
When I was released on the Wednesday (the 2nd day after the surgery) I did not need any type of pain meds after that!
So I guess you could say that although this is major surgery, it was not all that hard and I would not think twice about having it again if I had to.
Dr. N told me yesterday at my check up appt. that my surgery ended up taking 45 minutes longer than the usual time it takes, due to the fact that when they went to reattach the bowel the stapler was not holding properly and he had to completely hand sew the new join together. So my RNY is hand done, and shoule have 0% of any kind of leakage issues.
So thank you Dr.N, for doing such an amazing job.
Now all I need to do, is to get on with healing, and just doing my best to give my new pouch the best possible chance of doing what it is meant to do!
Who Knew.......the amazing feeling of accomplishment!
May 09, 2012
Well it has been a while since I wrote an update on here, truth is I didn't really have much to say. But if I really look back, I have been steadily making subtle changes that will be necessary for me to prove to Dr. N that I am worthy of his granting me the surgery..... In no particular order:
1) I am now drinking most of the recommended 60 oz of water/day,
2) I am ridding my cupboards of all the crap food, and replacing it with only good (real) food.
3) I am actually cooking a way more often than I did before I started with Dr. N., and it is actually starting to get to be the norm in my house that we actually eat most all meals at home. In the past we used to frequent McDonalds, Wendy's and Tim Hortons on a very regular basis, some busy days eating at least 2 meals away from home..... No wonder I got to be the size I am. The food is relatively cheap in these fast food places, but I am living proof that the fast food is not healthy for me.
4) I have been lable reading on the food that I purchase. If it isn't healthy, I don't buy it. I paid my half of the fee to renew our Costco card, I have a feeling that we will be frequenting it alot more in the future. It is not cheap to eat healthy by any means.
5) Exercise. Although Amber and I have been going to the pool 2-3 times a week for several weeks now, the other day was the first time I took my borrowd walker (borrowed from the Red Cross, I have it for 3 months time) out of the trunk of my car, and used it to walk around in Shoppers Drug mart. It had been the first time I had been inside a store (other than the corner grocery store a couple of times) in probably 4 years. So just getting past the embarrassment of using the walker was a huge step for me. I was asked to do a favor for someone and in my need to people please, I got the courage to use it in order to not let the person down in not granting the favour that was asked of me. It is so wierd how I seem to be able to find the courage or ambition to do things for others even when it feels physically impossible, and I find it so totally impossible and unimportant when it comes to makeing the same effort for me.
6) So, today I went for my first "Exercise" walk. I used the borrowed walker just in case I needed a place to rest. The sun was brilliant and warm, there were beautiful big puffy clouds in the sky, the wind was blowing, it was the perfect day for my first walk. Earlier I was told that the path at the Garratt wellness centre is a few hundered meters long? (I have absolutely no idea how long that is, but going by the pain in my knees it at times felt like the distance was a hundred miles long.) Along with me was my daughter Amber and Aleah, a wonderful new friend that we made at our nutrition class) They were very patient in waiting for me when I had to take my 3 or 4 short little rests, and coached me along enthusiastically. When I was done the walk, although my knees were killing me and I was so tired and out of breath, and had a terrible case of dry mouth, and both my eyes and my nose were running like a tap, I felt absolutely wonderful. Very proud of me for breaking my barrier and just going for it.
You see, I have been avoiding walking for years. It is just too down right painful. So I have been avoiding it like the plague by getting my daughter Amber and if and when I could my son to help me with what ever needed to be done. Especially if it involved any amount of walking. But I have finally came to the conclusion that there is just no easy way to do this, I put on the weight, I have to make the effort to take it back off, no one in the world can do this for me. I have been procrastinating way too long, and today I took the first step. Now I have to keep going, and take it one day at a time. We are expected to have about 4 or 5 excellent days weather wise. So tomorrow in the morning I do have an appointment with a Respirologist tech, I will be fitted for a C-Pap machine and have to start a 6 month trial. SO, in the afternoon it is my plan to go for another walk, we have a walking path pretty close to where we live, so I am going to do it. That is the plan, and I am so determined to do it this time. NO MORE PROCRASTINATING!!!!
I will update in a couple of days with the results.
0 comments
1) I am now drinking most of the recommended 60 oz of water/day,
2) I am ridding my cupboards of all the crap food, and replacing it with only good (real) food.
3) I am actually cooking a way more often than I did before I started with Dr. N., and it is actually starting to get to be the norm in my house that we actually eat most all meals at home. In the past we used to frequent McDonalds, Wendy's and Tim Hortons on a very regular basis, some busy days eating at least 2 meals away from home..... No wonder I got to be the size I am. The food is relatively cheap in these fast food places, but I am living proof that the fast food is not healthy for me.
4) I have been lable reading on the food that I purchase. If it isn't healthy, I don't buy it. I paid my half of the fee to renew our Costco card, I have a feeling that we will be frequenting it alot more in the future. It is not cheap to eat healthy by any means.
5) Exercise. Although Amber and I have been going to the pool 2-3 times a week for several weeks now, the other day was the first time I took my borrowd walker (borrowed from the Red Cross, I have it for 3 months time) out of the trunk of my car, and used it to walk around in Shoppers Drug mart. It had been the first time I had been inside a store (other than the corner grocery store a couple of times) in probably 4 years. So just getting past the embarrassment of using the walker was a huge step for me. I was asked to do a favor for someone and in my need to people please, I got the courage to use it in order to not let the person down in not granting the favour that was asked of me. It is so wierd how I seem to be able to find the courage or ambition to do things for others even when it feels physically impossible, and I find it so totally impossible and unimportant when it comes to makeing the same effort for me.
6) So, today I went for my first "Exercise" walk. I used the borrowed walker just in case I needed a place to rest. The sun was brilliant and warm, there were beautiful big puffy clouds in the sky, the wind was blowing, it was the perfect day for my first walk. Earlier I was told that the path at the Garratt wellness centre is a few hundered meters long? (I have absolutely no idea how long that is, but going by the pain in my knees it at times felt like the distance was a hundred miles long.) Along with me was my daughter Amber and Aleah, a wonderful new friend that we made at our nutrition class) They were very patient in waiting for me when I had to take my 3 or 4 short little rests, and coached me along enthusiastically. When I was done the walk, although my knees were killing me and I was so tired and out of breath, and had a terrible case of dry mouth, and both my eyes and my nose were running like a tap, I felt absolutely wonderful. Very proud of me for breaking my barrier and just going for it.
You see, I have been avoiding walking for years. It is just too down right painful. So I have been avoiding it like the plague by getting my daughter Amber and if and when I could my son to help me with what ever needed to be done. Especially if it involved any amount of walking. But I have finally came to the conclusion that there is just no easy way to do this, I put on the weight, I have to make the effort to take it back off, no one in the world can do this for me. I have been procrastinating way too long, and today I took the first step. Now I have to keep going, and take it one day at a time. We are expected to have about 4 or 5 excellent days weather wise. So tomorrow in the morning I do have an appointment with a Respirologist tech, I will be fitted for a C-Pap machine and have to start a 6 month trial. SO, in the afternoon it is my plan to go for another walk, we have a walking path pretty close to where we live, so I am going to do it. That is the plan, and I am so determined to do it this time. NO MORE PROCRASTINATING!!!!
I will update in a couple of days with the results.
Kind of a let down....but a major eye opener too!
Apr 26, 2012
Well I had the appointment with the Respirologist today, and I guess I got the bad news that I have been avoiding for a few years now. Sort of a confirmation if you will! He pretty much confirmed that I DO have Sleep Apnea, it is on the mild to moderate side, but it is definitely sleep apnea. CRAP.....well I guess there is no getting away from it now, because now I know for sure. (In my own desperation to not have it, I actually told myself that the last sleep clinic had their heads up their a****, and did not know what they were talking about. Just because I was in denial. Well the denial cycle is broken now, and I will take this seriously.
But that is not all either. He asked me a lot of questions and examined my extensive list of medications, and came to a possible conclusion that I may also have Restless Leg syndrome as well as sleep disorders of a different nature as well.
I do have a really bad right knee, so I have always put the pain and discomfort and involuntary constant movement of my right leg when I watch T.V. in the evening down to my wrecked knee and the arthritis that I have in it as well. I sure never thought of Restless Leg.... anyways, turns out that some of the restless leg issue may even be caused by some of my medications. Well, the leg movement could be causing some of the sleep disturbances, so we are going to try to figure out what it is that is actually restless leg and what part of all that disturbed sleep is actually sleep apnea....does that make any sense?
So, the respirologist is setting me up with a C-pap trial of about 6 weeks in length. And I also have to do an overnight sleep study at the Richmond hospital. Ask me how much I like the idea of the sleep study.
And I just hope that I am in a better place in my life to be able to use the C-Pap machine with out the feeling of not being able to breathe due to the air flow that is forced down my nasal passages.
So all in all, I guess the appointment was OK, the results not totally unexpected. And all was explained to me in a way that I understand and will take much more seriously this time around. After all, I have been granted a second chance and I may not get another one in my life time.
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But that is not all either. He asked me a lot of questions and examined my extensive list of medications, and came to a possible conclusion that I may also have Restless Leg syndrome as well as sleep disorders of a different nature as well.
I do have a really bad right knee, so I have always put the pain and discomfort and involuntary constant movement of my right leg when I watch T.V. in the evening down to my wrecked knee and the arthritis that I have in it as well. I sure never thought of Restless Leg.... anyways, turns out that some of the restless leg issue may even be caused by some of my medications. Well, the leg movement could be causing some of the sleep disturbances, so we are going to try to figure out what it is that is actually restless leg and what part of all that disturbed sleep is actually sleep apnea....does that make any sense?
So, the respirologist is setting me up with a C-pap trial of about 6 weeks in length. And I also have to do an overnight sleep study at the Richmond hospital. Ask me how much I like the idea of the sleep study.
And I just hope that I am in a better place in my life to be able to use the C-Pap machine with out the feeling of not being able to breathe due to the air flow that is forced down my nasal passages.
So all in all, I guess the appointment was OK, the results not totally unexpected. And all was explained to me in a way that I understand and will take much more seriously this time around. After all, I have been granted a second chance and I may not get another one in my life time.
I have been dreading this day.
Apr 26, 2012
It is silly I know, to avoid things, but hey lets face it, it is one of the things that I do best, especially when it comes to my own issues.
I have been a stay at home mom for the last 27 years, and spent my time caring for 2 of my own and also 2 step children for a major portion of that time. Always putting myself on the back burner with the intent that I will get to my things when I get to them. So in other words, perpetually putting others needs ahead of my own.
Well today is a day that I have to deal with my health issues straight on, and I have been dreading the possible outcome and avoiding this day for almost 5 years now.
Today I will find out whether or not I have Sleep Apnea. Not a biggie right? Wrong..... for me there is something that really bothers me about the possibility of having to wear a mask and use a C-Pap that makes me want to run in the opposite direction....if I could only run!
I know in my heart that if I do, it will probably even help me sleep better in turn getting healthier and maybe even losing some weight in the process.
And to add to that, it is not something that I am not familiar with, my X husband has had sleep apnea for about the last 10 or more years and he has had to us the c-pap, and even when I had to sleep beside him, I hated it, I hated the noise it made, and how he looked wearing it, and......Oh this is so dam ridiculous I know. But just wanting it to go away wont make it happen so I know I have to face it head on.
About 5 years ago, I had the test where you wear the little monitor on your finger while you sleep at night, then yup...they told me that I did have it. So even then I bought a machine, it was at a time when I was dealing with the deaths of both my parents, and to make things even worse I was also going through a separation. Anyways, took the machine and my mask home, and I tried to use it for several nights. But my emotions were all screwed up, and I couldn't sleep anyways, so it was just making things harder and I was so miserable, because you see......I am actually kind of claustrophobic and with that thing on my face, as it was "forcing" air down my throat (into my nasal passages) even on the lowest setting, I felt like I could not breathe or catch my breath.
So I do have a C-Pap machine, and it is pretty much brand new, only used 4 or 5 times. I can remember feeling then that the timing was just not right, then after that life got in the way and I kept it in my closet, thinking I should really try it out again one day, maybe tomorrow......well.....
I had another Sleep test with the little monitor on my finger a couple of weeks ago, and my family doctor told me initially that Yeah...I do not have sleep apnea. So I was so excited that I called the astrologist to cancel the follow up appointment, and they told me not to cancel, to just come in and hear what the astrologist had to tell me.
Well that brings me to today. Should I take the dam C-pap machine with me just in case, or should I leave it tucked away in the back of my closet? I guess I will take it just in case, but yeah, this is where I am dreading the possible part of my day that the astrologist is going to tell me that my family doctor read the results wrong and yes I do have it.
Anyways, in my heart I do know, that even if I have it, it does not mean that I will have it forever. And if I do have it, it is actually something that I can do to possibly save my own life. I was told yesterday by a woman in my presurgery nutrition class, that she heard that John Candy actually died from a heart attach in his sleep, due to untreated sleep apnea.
I sure do not want that to happen, so I know deep down I would rather deal with this than "let " something like that happen to me. I have way too much living to do so, I guess I will bite the bullet, and stick my chin up in the air, and just tackle this head on. But you have no idea how much I would rather just stick my head in the sand and continue on like I have been for the last may year.
And I know that this will be one of the first major steps that I will be taking in making my self #1 on my priority list, after all I do want to be around to see my 2 lovely grand children grow up, and I dint want to do that on the side lines any longer, I want to be an active part of their lives.
Well I am done ranting now, thank you for listening to those of you who were. I am so glad that this is a place that I can just write my feelings down and know that there are others out there that might even feel the same feelings that I do.
Well, gotta go and start getting my day on the road to a healthier me.
I hope you all have a wonderful day!
0 comments
I have been a stay at home mom for the last 27 years, and spent my time caring for 2 of my own and also 2 step children for a major portion of that time. Always putting myself on the back burner with the intent that I will get to my things when I get to them. So in other words, perpetually putting others needs ahead of my own.
Well today is a day that I have to deal with my health issues straight on, and I have been dreading the possible outcome and avoiding this day for almost 5 years now.
Today I will find out whether or not I have Sleep Apnea. Not a biggie right? Wrong..... for me there is something that really bothers me about the possibility of having to wear a mask and use a C-Pap that makes me want to run in the opposite direction....if I could only run!
I know in my heart that if I do, it will probably even help me sleep better in turn getting healthier and maybe even losing some weight in the process.
And to add to that, it is not something that I am not familiar with, my X husband has had sleep apnea for about the last 10 or more years and he has had to us the c-pap, and even when I had to sleep beside him, I hated it, I hated the noise it made, and how he looked wearing it, and......Oh this is so dam ridiculous I know. But just wanting it to go away wont make it happen so I know I have to face it head on.
About 5 years ago, I had the test where you wear the little monitor on your finger while you sleep at night, then yup...they told me that I did have it. So even then I bought a machine, it was at a time when I was dealing with the deaths of both my parents, and to make things even worse I was also going through a separation. Anyways, took the machine and my mask home, and I tried to use it for several nights. But my emotions were all screwed up, and I couldn't sleep anyways, so it was just making things harder and I was so miserable, because you see......I am actually kind of claustrophobic and with that thing on my face, as it was "forcing" air down my throat (into my nasal passages) even on the lowest setting, I felt like I could not breathe or catch my breath.
So I do have a C-Pap machine, and it is pretty much brand new, only used 4 or 5 times. I can remember feeling then that the timing was just not right, then after that life got in the way and I kept it in my closet, thinking I should really try it out again one day, maybe tomorrow......well.....
I had another Sleep test with the little monitor on my finger a couple of weeks ago, and my family doctor told me initially that Yeah...I do not have sleep apnea. So I was so excited that I called the astrologist to cancel the follow up appointment, and they told me not to cancel, to just come in and hear what the astrologist had to tell me.
Well that brings me to today. Should I take the dam C-pap machine with me just in case, or should I leave it tucked away in the back of my closet? I guess I will take it just in case, but yeah, this is where I am dreading the possible part of my day that the astrologist is going to tell me that my family doctor read the results wrong and yes I do have it.
Anyways, in my heart I do know, that even if I have it, it does not mean that I will have it forever. And if I do have it, it is actually something that I can do to possibly save my own life. I was told yesterday by a woman in my presurgery nutrition class, that she heard that John Candy actually died from a heart attach in his sleep, due to untreated sleep apnea.
I sure do not want that to happen, so I know deep down I would rather deal with this than "let " something like that happen to me. I have way too much living to do so, I guess I will bite the bullet, and stick my chin up in the air, and just tackle this head on. But you have no idea how much I would rather just stick my head in the sand and continue on like I have been for the last may year.
And I know that this will be one of the first major steps that I will be taking in making my self #1 on my priority list, after all I do want to be around to see my 2 lovely grand children grow up, and I dint want to do that on the side lines any longer, I want to be an active part of their lives.
Well I am done ranting now, thank you for listening to those of you who were. I am so glad that this is a place that I can just write my feelings down and know that there are others out there that might even feel the same feelings that I do.
Well, gotta go and start getting my day on the road to a healthier me.
I hope you all have a wonderful day!
Another Appointment Day!
Apr 23, 2012
Well, today is the 23rd of April, and since my consult day alot has happened for me. Not big stuff, but in my mind is is just alot compared to the "nothing" that happened in the 2 & 1/2 years I have been on a wait list for Dr. Amson to do gastric bypass surgery for me.
So what I mean by alot, is blood work, s
Several appointments on the PAL with John,
3 sessions of Winning at Losing,
a sleep apnea test (Results pending - will find out later this week)
and now, also down is the consult with the Occupational Therapist as well.
She tells me that I dont need to see the Psychiatrist (I could have told her that) but she does suggest the group sessions that she has to make sure that patients dont get the surgery and then wonder what the hell just happened.
I am fine with that, the only draw back is that that wont take place until the Fall of 2012. (I just want to get it all over with so that I can have the surgery already!)
Anyways, things are going pretty good I guess, my mind seems to be in a pretty good place right now. Amber and I have been making huge strides in getting the junk food out of the house and not replacing it, and also ONLY getting good quality food when we buy our groceries.
I need some more inspiration when it comes to meal planning and cooking, we are eating the same things over and over, I guess because they work. (you know, if it isnt broke, dont fix it!)
I also ordered (over the internet) UNJURY protein powder. I felt that we need to take the first step in figuring out just what protein powder is going to work the best for us, and hopefully tastes the best. Lets face it, we could be on this stuff for quite some time, and for us, seeing as both of us will be using it, it is not going to be cheap so we have to start somewhere and I want to know which is going to be the best one to buy before we need it.
We have tried the Boost Diabetic protein drinks, they arent too bad, I usually gulp it down and dont waste any time sipping or tasting it. I dont hate it, I just dont want to linger with it so I gulpt it and get it over with. While Amber (on the other hand) gags all the way through it, especially since the first one and every one since that first one has had major slimy lumps just waiting for her at the bottom of the bottle every single time. I dont stand a chance in convincing her that she just did not shake it hard or long enough. I now have 2 complete pkgs of 6 bottles that I will have to replace to Walmart, because it has now put me off it it as well.
Oh, and we have also made some good strides in the exercise department, (although last week was not so great) we have been regularily going to the pool to do the Aquasize classes. We are thinking of going for 2 sessions each time we go, we might as well, we will already be there. It just means that any appointments will have to be much later in the afternoon, because we have to allow ourselves time in the hot tub for our reward, that way we dont come out of the pool looking for a reward that leans towards food.
So that is all for now,
talk to you again soon!
0 comments
So what I mean by alot, is blood work, s
Several appointments on the PAL with John,
3 sessions of Winning at Losing,
a sleep apnea test (Results pending - will find out later this week)
and now, also down is the consult with the Occupational Therapist as well.
She tells me that I dont need to see the Psychiatrist (I could have told her that) but she does suggest the group sessions that she has to make sure that patients dont get the surgery and then wonder what the hell just happened.
I am fine with that, the only draw back is that that wont take place until the Fall of 2012. (I just want to get it all over with so that I can have the surgery already!)
Anyways, things are going pretty good I guess, my mind seems to be in a pretty good place right now. Amber and I have been making huge strides in getting the junk food out of the house and not replacing it, and also ONLY getting good quality food when we buy our groceries.
I need some more inspiration when it comes to meal planning and cooking, we are eating the same things over and over, I guess because they work. (you know, if it isnt broke, dont fix it!)
I also ordered (over the internet) UNJURY protein powder. I felt that we need to take the first step in figuring out just what protein powder is going to work the best for us, and hopefully tastes the best. Lets face it, we could be on this stuff for quite some time, and for us, seeing as both of us will be using it, it is not going to be cheap so we have to start somewhere and I want to know which is going to be the best one to buy before we need it.
We have tried the Boost Diabetic protein drinks, they arent too bad, I usually gulp it down and dont waste any time sipping or tasting it. I dont hate it, I just dont want to linger with it so I gulpt it and get it over with. While Amber (on the other hand) gags all the way through it, especially since the first one and every one since that first one has had major slimy lumps just waiting for her at the bottom of the bottle every single time. I dont stand a chance in convincing her that she just did not shake it hard or long enough. I now have 2 complete pkgs of 6 bottles that I will have to replace to Walmart, because it has now put me off it it as well.
Oh, and we have also made some good strides in the exercise department, (although last week was not so great) we have been regularily going to the pool to do the Aquasize classes. We are thinking of going for 2 sessions each time we go, we might as well, we will already be there. It just means that any appointments will have to be much later in the afternoon, because we have to allow ourselves time in the hot tub for our reward, that way we dont come out of the pool looking for a reward that leans towards food.
So that is all for now,
talk to you again soon!
Life is a Journey
Mar 10, 2012
I have been overweight my entire adult life, and I am sick and tired of it. 
They say that Life is a Journey, well mine has barely been even remotely pleasant at the best of times, and I want a new one. I am sick and tired of dragging and packing all this excess weight around with me but I feel so stuck because nothing that I do seems to get me any results.
It feels as if I have tried every fad diet or health plan out there that is known to the human race, so in Sept. of 2009, I took a giant leap and made the decision to do something about making the changes happen for me. I had my first visit with Dr. Amson in Victoria and made the very hard decision on that very day to take all the risks involved and have the Gastric Bypass surgery as soon as possible..... At that time I was told that the wait time was approximately 3 years. Well it has now been 2 & 1/2 years waiting and I have seen Dr. Amson pretty much every 3 or 6 months as he requested that I do. But every time I see him, I now am beginning to feel like I am just getting a run around,
and as there is no surgery date anywhere in sight I am losing hope that I will ever have it. On my most recent visit to his office at the end of February 2012, I was told that he had just started doing his 2006 patients. So now I have no idea as to where I am on that dam list! There has to be other options.
My wonderful sister in law is an ICU nurse at the Richmond hospital, and she told me a couple of months ago that she went to school with a Dr Ngyuen, who had just started working on a pilot program for weight loss surgery patients. As soon as I found out about this, I called to put my name (and my daughters name as she is 20 and also very obese) on Dr. Ngyuen's wait list to be seen by him. Within about 3 months we recieved a call to come and have our first consult visit with him.
We went to that appointment this past week on Monday, and let's just say that I have definitly found new hope that we will both be able to have our weight loss surgeries within this next year. (Definately!!!)
Dr. Ngyuen is a very nice man, and his program is not just about the surgery. Unlike Dr. Amson's routine visits in his office, Dr. Ngyuen has his patients be seen by a whole team of professionals to make sure that when our surgery day comes that we will undoubtedly be very ready for all the changes we will go through not only physically, but menally and emotionally as well..... Dr. Ngyuen's Weigh Loss Surgery team consists of various professionals ranging from Menal health nurses , to Exercise 
Physiologists, Sleep Apnea testing, and a Nutritionist as well as others.
Dr. Ngyuen made it very clear that if we are have him do our surgeries, that we will have to work hard to get through his program of professionals, with them giving him the go ahead to do our surgeries only when we have completed thier individual programs. That is why it takes approximately a year to complete it all, and that is why we have to wait approximately a year to get our surgery dates. We have been told by Dr. Ngyuen that if we complete the program in 6 months, we will have our surgeries in 6 months. I believe him and we have every intention of working very hard at this as we are both very motivated......
So I am hopefull that in 6 months to 1 years time that I will be able to give an update to anyone interested, that Dr. Ngyuens program time frame is estimated very well and that I will have had my surgery and be able to recommend it to everyone who needs to have weight loss surgery. I have a new found determination and hope that I thought I had lost and had no hope of ever getting back. So, here's to a wonderful weight loss journey, and a new found thinner healthier me!
LGthinunderneath.
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They say that Life is a Journey, well mine has barely been even remotely pleasant at the best of times, and I want a new one. I am sick and tired of dragging and packing all this excess weight around with me but I feel so stuck because nothing that I do seems to get me any results. It feels as if I have tried every fad diet or health plan out there that is known to the human race, so in Sept. of 2009, I took a giant leap and made the decision to do something about making the changes happen for me. I had my first visit with Dr. Amson in Victoria and made the very hard decision on that very day to take all the risks involved and have the Gastric Bypass surgery as soon as possible..... At that time I was told that the wait time was approximately 3 years. Well it has now been 2 & 1/2 years waiting and I have seen Dr. Amson pretty much every 3 or 6 months as he requested that I do. But every time I see him, I now am beginning to feel like I am just getting a run around,
and as there is no surgery date anywhere in sight I am losing hope that I will ever have it. On my most recent visit to his office at the end of February 2012, I was told that he had just started doing his 2006 patients. So now I have no idea as to where I am on that dam list! There has to be other options.My wonderful sister in law is an ICU nurse at the Richmond hospital, and she told me a couple of months ago that she went to school with a Dr Ngyuen, who had just started working on a pilot program for weight loss surgery patients. As soon as I found out about this, I called to put my name (and my daughters name as she is 20 and also very obese) on Dr. Ngyuen's wait list to be seen by him. Within about 3 months we recieved a call to come and have our first consult visit with him.
We went to that appointment this past week on Monday, and let's just say that I have definitly found new hope that we will both be able to have our weight loss surgeries within this next year. (Definately!!!)
Dr. Ngyuen is a very nice man, and his program is not just about the surgery. Unlike Dr. Amson's routine visits in his office, Dr. Ngyuen has his patients be seen by a whole team of professionals to make sure that when our surgery day comes that we will undoubtedly be very ready for all the changes we will go through not only physically, but menally and emotionally as well..... Dr. Ngyuen's Weigh Loss Surgery team consists of various professionals ranging from Menal health nurses , to Exercise Physiologists, Sleep Apnea testing, and a Nutritionist as well as others. Dr. Ngyuen made it very clear that if we are have him do our surgeries, that we will have to work hard to get through his program of professionals, with them giving him the go ahead to do our surgeries only when we have completed thier individual programs. That is why it takes approximately a year to complete it all, and that is why we have to wait approximately a year to get our surgery dates. We have been told by Dr. Ngyuen that if we complete the program in 6 months, we will have our surgeries in 6 months. I believe him and we have every intention of working very hard at this as we are both very motivated......
So I am hopefull that in 6 months to 1 years time that I will be able to give an update to anyone interested, that Dr. Ngyuens program time frame is estimated very well and that I will have had my surgery and be able to recommend it to everyone who needs to have weight loss surgery. I have a new found determination and hope that I thought I had lost and had no hope of ever getting back. So, here's to a wonderful weight loss journey, and a new found thinner healthier me!
LGthinunderneath.
